Paris-Nice 2019: Sprint win Bennet, Kwiatkowksi still leader

Stage 6 in Paris-Nice is far from flat, still the race comes down to a bunch sprint. San Bennett outguns Arnaud Démare and Matteo Trentin, while Michal Kwiatkowski retains the yellow jersey.(Slideshow route/profile)

Race report The breakaway features Alex Kirsch, Laurent Pichon and Mauro Finetto. They open up a gap of 3 minutes before they are brought back inside the last 50 kilometres. Just before the second climb of the day, Côte de Mazaugues, the peloton breaks. All GC riders and most sprinters are in the first group, but Groenewegen is trapped at the back.

LL Sánchez takes a time bonus of 3 seconds in the first intermediate sprint, while Haig takes 1. Kwiatkowski wins 3 seconds in the last intermediate and LL Sánchez 2. They push on together, but are brought back inside the last 3 kilometres.

In the ensuing bunch sprint San Bennett shows he is ready to take on Milan-San Remo. He outsprints Arnaud Démare and Matteo Trentin to take his second victory in this year’s Paris-Nice.

Michal Kwiatkowksi finishes safely in the main group to retain race leader.